DE102019006199B3 - Dispensing device for hand-operated, dosed dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing device (1) for the hand-operated, metered dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material (2), in particular magnesium carbonate, flour or salt. A device (1) which can be operated easily and safely by the end user is proposed which, by means of a slider (6), dispenses the material (2) from a storage area (3) into a dosing vessel (5) on the one hand dust-free and on the other hand against Protective moisture penetration enabled. Dust-free extraction is ensured by venting the dosing vessel (5) when it is filled into a venting channel (K) opening into the storage area (3). This enables packaging-free distribution to an end user of materials which, despite the ongoing trend towards packaging-free solutions, could not previously be sold profitably.

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing device for the hand-operated, metered dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material. The background to this is the increasing trend, particularly in the food retail sector, to offer goods free of packaging. In a study by Pricewaterhouse-Coopers AG from 2015 (www.pwc.de/lebensmittel), a consumer survey suggests that around 80% of consumers would forego packaging for food, largely motivated by the beneficial effects on environmental protection. A majority would prefer to find unpackaged groceries in a conventional supermarket instead of going to a store specializing in unpackaged groceries. Around 70% of the consumers surveyed would not shy away from a higher expense with a packaging-free solution for dry products such as rice or flour. However, around two thirds of those questioned would not be willing to pay a higher price for packaging-free food.

• https://www.abendblatt.de/wirtschaft/article205697223/Supermarkt-verkauft-seine-Lebensmittel-verpackungsfrei.html und vom 10.10.2017:
• https://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/article212189685/Hamburger-kaempfen-mit-verpackungsfreien-Waren-gegen-Plastik.html

Erwähnt wird auch, dass Flüssigkeiten wie Essig und Öl aus Kanistern in kleinere Flaschen abgefüllt werden können. Aus diesen Veröffentlichungen geht - neben dem schon in der Studie aufgedeckten großen Bedarf an verpackungsfreien Lösungen - aber auch hervor, dass sich das Angebot aufgrund hygienischer Anforderungen einschränkt.Packaging-free solutions have already been established for various types of food. Granular, moisture-resistant and free-flowing products can be filled into reusable vessels using dispenser containers. For this purpose, the container is usually held under the dispenser container and the dispenser container is then opened until a sufficient amount has trickled into the container. Such a solution can be seen, for example, on the website https://utopia.de/ratgeber/verpackungsfreier-supermarkt/ from May 29, 2017, as well as in online publications of the Hamburger Abendblatt from September 12, 2015:

• https://www.abendblatt.de/wirtschaft/article205697223/Supermarkt-verkauf-seine-Lebensmittel-verpackungsfrei.html and from 10.10.2017:
• https://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/article212189685/Hamburger-kaempfen-mit-verpackungsfrei-Waren-gegen-Plastik.html

It also mentions that liquids such as vinegar and oil can be filled into smaller bottles from canisters. In addition to the great need for packaging-free solutions already revealed in the study, these publications also show that the range is restricted due to hygienic requirements.

The trend towards packaging-free products is not limited to food. One of many other materials that are sold in powder form is magnesium carbonate, which is also used for end users in the sports sector in particular. In sport climbing, for example, it is used to dry the hands and increase friction and is sold in plastic or paper packaging in sports shops or climbing halls.

The invention is now based on the knowledge that a group of materials, which up to now has not been accessible to the concept of distribution via reusable vessels or has only been accessible to a limited extent, can be made available with the appropriate technical aid. Powdery, hygroscopic materials such as flour or salt have hitherto been sold in specialized grocery stores at best by dispensing from a larger container by scooping out or removing a smaller vessel or spoon. The necessary temporary opening of the container leads to environmental contact, which is problematic for hygienic reasons. In addition, it can lead to annoying dust generation. Finally, the opening of the container also leads to an ingress of moisture from the ambient air, which over time leads to considerable solidification and clumping in the material. The possible contamination and clumping lead to a stricter limitation of the shelf life and availability of such materials than would actually be possible without temporary environmental contact. For this reason, such materials are often not offered free of packaging at all, as the shops offering them must reckon with considerable losses due to stocks that are no longer usable and need to be destroyed. Despite the above-mentioned great need for freedom from packaging and the simultaneous widespread use of staple foods such as flour or salt, no solution has yet been found.

The EP 0 260 881 B1 discloses a method of packaging a liquid or semi-liquid food product in a plastic container by heat sealing a lid material over the mouth of the container.

The U.S. 3,487,622 shows a device for airtight covering of a container. A pressurized flow of suitable food product is introduced into the container and the air in the container is removed by squeezing it out. At the same time a lid is pressed on.

The U.S. 4,856,681 discloses a dispenser for granular and powder material, in which a vessel is filled from a material reservoir by opening a slide, with material falling into the vessel, driven by gravity, up to a maximum fill level.

In the U.S. 6,311,745 a dispenser for powdered material, particularly toner, is also shown. Here, the supply of a gas improves the flowability of the material.

The EP 0 663 628 A1 Figure 10 shows a dry toner replenishment system for an electrophotographic machine. An air exchange by means of an air channel from the toner container into the filling container is provided.

The DE 10 2005 029 128 A1 shows an automatic dosing device for a flavor-sealed beverage powder can, in particular for coffee. The air pressure between the dosing vessel and the storage vessel is equalized by an air pressure equalization channel.

The US 2015 / 0096269A1 shows a container with improved sealing, in particular for nanopowder particles.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a dispensing device for the hand-operated, metered dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material in which the amount of dust escaping into the environment is as small as possible.

This object is achieved by a dispensing device for the manually operated, dosed dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material, comprising a funnel-shaped storage area for receiving the material and a dispensing area connected approximately in the direction of gravity, with a dust-tight dosing vessel being connectable to the dispensing area and with through a slide arranged essentially transversely to the direction of gravity between the storage area and the dispensing area, a connection from the storage area to the dosing vessel can be opened or closed in such a way that when the slide is opened, the dosing vessel is filled with the material in a substantially dust-tight manner, with a venting channel being provided is that the air displaced when the dosing vessel is filled is passed into the ventilation channel and from there into the storage area. The ventilation channel is designed to be flat, by means of a channel wall running approximately parallel to an inner wall of the storage area. This results in a design of the ventilation duct that is particularly easy to implement in terms of construction, which at the same time also enables a sufficiently large flow cross-section and thus low air resistance. Tests have shown that the ventilation channel can be kept permanently free of material residues, i.e. although one should assume that the ventilation channel will become clogged with the material over time, it has been shown that this is not to be feared with the appropriate channel design

A major problem with a technical solution to the stated problem is that the output of the material is aimed at an end user who cannot be instructed in more complex technical operation or instructed to comply with regulations during the filling process. Therefore, the operation must be designed to be error-free and robust. With the simplest manual operation, the consumer must be able to fill material himself in the highest degree of operational and functional reliability.

The dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material can be accomplished even under the aforementioned difficult operating conditions and requirements by designing and using a slide which closes the storage area and only opens it when material is dispensed so that the storage area is only connected to the volume of the dosing vessel . By means of such a slide, the material stored in the storage area remains largely separated from exchange with the ambient air at all times, even when the material is dispensed into the dosing vessel. A completely airtight seal is usually not required.

On the basis of intensive tests, however, it has been shown that the sealing effect is not sufficient even with good sealing of the slide due to a form-fitting design of the guidance of the slide movement. Dust still escapes when filling. A further increase in the sealing effect, for example by means of rubber strips or the like, in turn leads to an increase in friction, which is unacceptable for simple operation, and thus to the expenditure of force to operate the slide.

According to the knowledge of the invention, the discharge of dust is due to an overpressure phenomenon: The sudden filling of the dosing vessel and the associated displacement of the air in the vessel leads to an overpressure, which allows dust to escape into the environment even if the slide is well guided. This problem can be remedied with a suitably positioned ventilation duct. The ventilation channel is positioned in such a way that it diverts the air displaced from the dosing vessel, there is no overpressure. In addition, the ventilation channel opens into the storage area, so that the material dust is returned to the storage unit.

The slide is preferably designed as a metal plate that is guided in a wooden housing, but other designs, e.g. in stainless steel or plastic, are of course also conceivable.

The slide is preferably designed as a movable plate, the ventilation duct adjoining the movable plate with almost no play. The close arrangement of the ventilation duct on the plate avoids a bypass for the air to be returned.

The slide is preferably designed as a linearly movable or else rotatably movable plate. In the latter case, the slide is rotated about an axis, running tightly in guides formed in the housing. The plate now also has one or more output recesses that open the storage area to the dosing vessel. The rotation of the plate preferably only covers an angular range, so the plate is not necessarily rotatable through 360 degrees. By turning the plate back and forth, the edges of the dispensing recess can be inserted in such a way that any solidified material is crushed. This comminution is of course also conceivable with the linearly moving plate.

The dosing vessel can preferably be connected to the dispensing area via a connection mechanism in such a way that, without the connected dosing vessel, the slide is blocked by the connection mechanism in a closed position and, with the dosing vessel connected, the slide is released by the connection mechanism for movement into the closed position. This configuration ensures that the slide and thus the storage area are not opened without a dosing vessel, i.e. the uncontrolled dispensing of material is prevented. For this purpose, the connection mechanism preferably has a pin which, when the slide is closed, engages in a recess in the slide and blocks its movement. Only when the dosing vessel has been completely taken up releases the pin from the recess and the slide can be opened. For example, when the dosing device is fastened, the pin is pressed upwards by the flange of the dosing vessel in such a way that a previously engaging edge or pin area is lifted out of the recess.

A locking mechanism is preferably provided so that the connected metering vessel cannot be removed when the slide is open. This also ensures that no material escapes from the storage area in an uncontrolled manner. The locking mechanism is also preferably designed as a bracket which is connected to the slide in such a way that it engages around the dosing vessel when the slide is closed. The bracket can be designed here so that it can be adapted to a shape and size of the dosing vessel.

The slide preferably has an opening area and a holder area, the opening area having a dispensing opening provided for releasing material into the dosing vessel and the holder area being connected to the locking mechanism, the opening area being separated from the holder area with regard to the permeability of the material. Such a separate design of the slide, i.e. the separation of the two functions "material dispensing" and "dosing vessel blocking" into two separate areas with regard to material exchange results in a further improvement in the sealing effect. For this purpose, the holder area is also preferably designed as a rail which is guided in a groove in the dispensing area.

A comminution mechanism is preferably provided in the funnel-shaped part of the storage area, by means of which lumpy parts of the material can be comminuted. Despite the sealing of the storage area by means of the slide, a certain clumping of the material can occur in the course of time, or such solidifications can already be present in the delivered material. These can become wedged in the funnel-shaped part of the storage area. The shredding mechanism serves to resolve this. This is preferably designed very simply in that it is designed as a window covered by an elastic membrane, wherein the membrane can be pressed into the material. The shredding access is possible via the membrane that can be pressed into the material without exposing the material to the ambient air.

Preferably, the dispenser can be used with magnesium carbonate, flour or salt.

• 1 eine 3D Ansicht einer Ausgabevorrichtung,
• 2 ein Längsschnitt der Ausgabevorrichtung aus 1 von der Seite,
• 2a eine 3D Ansicht einer Ausgabevorrichtung mit einem Entlüftungskanal
• 2b eine vergrößerte Darstellung im Bereich des Schiebers
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Schiebers in geschlossener Stellung,
• 4 eine 3D Ansicht eines Stiftes eines Anschlussmechanismus' und
• 5 einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch einen Anschlussbereich mit geschlossenem Schieber und angeschlossenem Dosiergefäß 6 eine Explosionszeichnung eines Ausgabebereiches

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a 3D view of a dispenser,
• 2 a longitudinal section of the dispenser 1 of the page,
• 2a a 3D view of a dispensing device with a ventilation channel
• 2 B an enlarged view in the area of the slide
• 3 a schematic representation of a slide in the closed position,
• 4th a 3D view of a pin of a connection mechanism 'and
• 5 a schematic longitudinal section through a connection area with a closed slide and connected metering vessel 6th an exploded view of a dispensing area

1 shows an output device in a three-dimensional representation 1 . On a rack 14th is a box-shaped memory area 3 arranged so that it is oriented vertically downwards in the direction of gravity with an approximately funnel-shaped end. In the memory area 3 there is a hygroscopic, powdery material 2 (please refer 2 ). The frame 14th and the memory area 3 can for example be made of wood or steel, but also made of plastic or combinations of materials.

At the funnel-shaped end of the storage area 3 an output area closes vertically below 4th with a slider 6th through which the memory area 3 can be opened and closed. The slider 6th can through a connection mechanism 7th (please refer 3 ) but can only be opened if a dosing vessel 5 in the output area 4th is fixed. Such a dosing vessel 5 can basically have any shape, but here is advantageously dimensioned with a flange and removable cover in a suitable manner to be attached to the connection mechanism 7th to be connectable. The slider 6th is, not shown here, guided positively. Through one in the 2a , 2 B The ventilation channel shown ensures that this form-fitting guide seals sufficiently so that essentially no material 2 penetrates the environment, not even in the form of dust.

Vertically above the output area 4th is the wall of the storage area 3 Opened like a window, but with an elastic membrane 12 sealed dust-tight. A crushing mechanism 11 is thereby formed. By pushing in the membrane 12 can compacted pieces of material 2 , i.e. clumps, are crushed.

2 Figure 3 shows a longitudinal section of the dispenser 1 of the page. Here that is in the storage area 3 stored material 2 recognizable. This can be done, for example, through a large box 13 that is in the memory area 3 and then opened in the memory area 3 be introduced.

The slider 6th is with a bracket 10 connected in such a way that when the slide is opened 6th the coat hanger 10 the dosing vessel 5 grips around or under. The bracket thus forms a locking mechanism 10 through which a removal of the dosing vessel 5 with an open slide 6th is prevented. A locking mechanism 10 but could, for example, also be designed in such a way that the dosing vessel 5 in the region of its flange 17 engages around like a fork. One advantage of such a design would be the suitability of the locking mechanism 10 for every size of the dosing vessel 5 longitudinal.

2a shows an output device 1 as in 1 , but without the front panel of the storage area 3 . A ventilation channel K becomes visible here, which is located inside the storage area 3 along an inner wall of the dispensing area 4th almost to the top of the memory area 3 extends. The ventilation channel K is formed here by a flat channel wall K1 which is approximately parallel to an inner wall K2 of the storage area 3 runs.

This is enlarged in 2 B in the area of the output area 4th shown in longitudinal section. The channel wall K1, for example a wooden plate, is very close to the surface of the slide 6th arranged. The gap S formed here is in any case sufficiently small to create a noticeable air resistance. If necessary, there can also be a sliding contact with the slide 6th exist if this does not make the effort to operate the slide too high.

A dashed arrow M indicates the direction in the material 2 with the dispensing opening open 16 from the storage area 3 into the dosing vessel 5 falls. A dotted arrow L shows the path that the air displaced in this way out of the dosing vessel 5 takes into the ventilation channel K.

3 shows a schematic view of a slide 6th in a closed position, guiding the slide 6th and other elements of the output device 1 are omitted for the sake of clarity. It's just a pen 8th the connection mechanism 7th and with a broken line one below the slide 6th arranged dosing vessel 5 with its flange 17th . The slide has a slide surface 15 in which a dispensing opening 16 is trained. Will the dispensing opening 16 of the slide 6th with the dosing vessel flange 17th brought into cover, then the storage area 3 maximum for the output of material 2 into the dosing vessel 5 open. So this opening but not without a connected dosing vessel 5 arises, leading to an uncontrolled leakage of material 2 is the connection mechanism 7th for the dosing vessel 5 with a pen 8th Mistake. The pencil 8th is through the dosing vessel 5 , more precisely through the flange 17th pushed up. The pencil 8th grabs before introducing the dosing vessel 5 into a recess 9 of the slide 6th so one that one movement of the slide 6th through the pen 8th is blocked. The term “pin” is not to be understood here as limiting to a commonly understood cylindrical shape, but can include any shape. All that matters is that the pen 8th is a movable element that passes through the dosing vessel 5 relative to the recess 9 is moved so that the slide 6th is released for an opening movement. In this example shows 4th a version of the pen 8th with a C-shaped contour. A lower leg 8a of the pin 8th lies on the flange 17th on. The dosing vessel 5 moves the pen 8th when introducing so that the slide 6th at the level of the recess 8c of the pin 8th lies. The slider 6th is no longer against the pen 8th blocked, it is now movable in the recess 8c and can be opened.

5 shows schematically in a longitudinal section a dispensing area 4th with connected dosing vessel 5 . The dosing vessel 5 is about the Connection mechanism 7th to the output area 4th connected. A bayonet lock or screwing in is conceivable here, for example, but a simple pushing in may also suffice, possibly with a slight pressing in, for example if the locking mechanism 10 is designed so that it is the dosing vessel 5 sufficiently secures against falling out. The connection mechanism 7th could in this case have a flexible material, for example foam or rubber, into which the metering vessel is pressed tightly.
6th shows an exploded view of an output area 4th with a slider 6th . The slider 6th has an opening area 6a, through which the blocking or release of the material removal is controlled. In addition, it has a holder area 6b, which is used for fastening the locking device 10 serves, through which a decrease in the dosing vessel 5 is blocked when filling. The opening area 6a and the holder area 6b are connected to one another via a connecting element 6d and accordingly move together when the slide is actuated 6th . In the now the holder area but separately in a groove 6c in the output area 4th is performed, there is a separation of the functional areas of the slide 6th regarding an exchange of material 2 . The recesses and guides of the holder area 6b therefore do not lead to possible leakage points for material dust, there is a further improvement in the tightness.

The function of the output device 1 is now the following: A customer purchases a dosing vessel 5 suitable size around material 2 - for example in a climbing hall with magnesium carbonate. The dosing vessel 5 is easily reusable, for example made of glass or break-proof made of plastic. The customer closes the dosing vessel 5 in the output area 4th at. To do this, he presses the dosing vessel 5 - in this example - in the flexible and tight connection area 7th so far that the bracket of the locking mechanism 10 at a level below the dosing vessel 5 got. The customer opens the slide 6th . The slider 6th was before the dosing vessel was connected 5 blocked. Only by connecting the dosing vessel 5 will how to 3 and 4th described the slide 6th released for the opening movement.

By opening the slide 6th becomes the locking mechanism 10 moved along. The locking mechanism is designed as a bracket that encompasses the dosing vessel 10 in the open position of the slide 6th removal or falling out of the dosing vessel 5 .

With actuation of the slide 6th becomes a connection from the storage area 3 to the dosing vessel 5 open and material 2 falls into the dosing vessel until it is full 5 on. This could lead to overpressure without further measures, which despite the form-fitting guidance of the slide with little play 6th leads to dust emission into the environment. This overpressure is reduced through the ventilation channel K in such a way that dust-laden air returns to the storage area 3 is returned.

In addition, very little ambient air gets into the storage area during the filling process 3 . This becomes the hygroscopic material 2 largely protected from excessive moisture from the environment. Should solidified areas and pieces in the material 2 are available, which may already be the case when the material is delivered 2 may be the case, these pieces can be easily shredded by the customer himself by means of the shredding mechanism 11. The customer simply presses the membrane 12 so often and deeply until larger pieces are in front of the output area 4th have accumulated, are sufficiently crushed. Is the dosing vessel 5 filled, the customer closes the slide. This gives the locking mechanism 10 the dosing vessel 5 free, which can now be removed. The pen falls 8th back into the recess 9 of the slide back, which is thus again blocked against opening.

List of reference symbols

1)

Dispenser

2)

material

3)

Storage area

4)

Output area

5)

Dosing vessel

6)

Slider

7)

Connection mechanism

8th)

Pin / 8a: lower leg,

8b: upper leg, 8c: recess

9)

Recess

10)

Locking mechanism

11)

Crushing mechanism

12)

membrane

13)

carton

14)

frame

15)

Slide surface

16)

Dispensing opening

17)

Dosing vessel flange

18)

Handle

Claims (9)

Dispensing device (1) for the hand-operated, dosed dispensing of powdery, hygroscopic material (2), comprising a funnel-shaped tapering storage area (3) for receiving the material (2) and a dispensing area (4) connected approximately in the direction of gravity Dispensing area (4), a dosing vessel (5) can be connected in a dust-tight manner and a connection from the storage area (3) to the dosing vessel (6) is established between the storage area (3) and the dispensing area (4) essentially transversely to the direction of gravity. 5) can be opened or closed in such a way that, when the slide (6) is opened, the metering vessel (5) is filled with the material (2) in an essentially dust-tight manner, characterized in that a ventilation channel (K) is provided so that the a filling of the dosing vessel (5) is displaced into the ventilation duct (K) and from this into the storage area (3), wherein the ventilation duct (K) is designed flat, by means of a channel wall (K1) running approximately parallel to an inner wall (K2) of the storage area (3). Output device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized by an embodiment of the slide (6) as a movable plate, wherein the ventilation channel (K) adjoins the movable plate with almost no play. Output device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the dosing vessel (5) can be connected to the dispensing area (4) via a connection mechanism (7) so that without the connected dosing vessel (5) the slide (6) is blocked in a locked position by the connection mechanism (7) and with the dosing vessel (5) connected, the slide (6) is released by the connection mechanism (7) for movement into the closed position. Output device (1) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the connection mechanism (7) has a pin (8) which is positioned by the dosing vessel (5) in such a way that it engages in a recess (9) in the slide (6). Output device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that a locking mechanism (10) is provided so that the connected dosing vessel (5) cannot be removed when the slide (6) is open. Output device (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the locking mechanism (10) is designed as a bracket which is connected to the slide (6) in such a way that it engages around the dosing vessel (5) when the slide (6) is opened. Output device (1) according to Claim 5 or 6th , in which the slide (6) has an opening area (6a) and a holder area (6b), wherein the opening area (6a) has a dispensing opening (16) provided for releasing material into the dosing vessel (5) and wherein the holder area (6b) is connected to the locking mechanism (10), characterized in that the opening area (6a) is separated from the holder area (6b) with regard to a permeability of material (2). Output device (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the holder area (6b) is designed as a rail which is guided in a groove (6c) in the output area (4). Output device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized by usability with a material (2) which is magnesium carbonate, flour or salt.

Images